Avatar: Storms of the Past (OOC)
Fire. Air. Water. Earth.
My mother told me legends of the Avatar, the icon of balance in our troubled world. But after the last Avatar died in the Water Tribe Civil War, other nations took it upon themselves to fill his place. The result was worldwide tension, national occupation, and struggles of power. It's been years since the Avatar died, but no one knows who the current Avatar is. Our world needs someone to unite us, and if the Avatar won't step up then someone must.
That "someone" is me.
This story occurs years before Avatar Aang, Roku, Kyoshi, and Kuruk. The current Avatar is an Earthbender. Consider the levels of technology just a level behind what they were in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Less mechanical engineering from the Fire Nation, but everything else is roughly the same.
Spoiler: HistoryThe Southern Water Tribe and the Northern Water Tribe used to own lands beyond their known borders. The Southern Water Tribe owned the southern islands between the Southern and Eastern Air Temples, and the Northern Water Tribe owned the northwestern landmass east of the Western Air Temple.
Fifty years ago, the two tribes engaged in a terrible war that churned the land and sea, causing widespread calamity that wasn't limited to Water Tribe borders. Trade ships from the other nations were boarded and raided, towns and villages were starved and sacked by rogue Water Tribe soldiers, and landscapes were decimated by the scars of warfare. The Avatar, who was meant to bring balance to the world, led the Northern Water Tribe alongside its leader. The line was finally crossed when Northern Water Tribe forces attacked the Western Air Temple after a complicated border dispute, which sparked deadly conflict between them.
Pledging to establish peace and end the war, the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom united to pacify the warring Water Tribes. The conflict, although brief, was full of carnage, and in the heat of battle the Avatar was killed by the Earth Kingdom. After forcing the Water Tribes to surrender with their military strength, both nations negotiated areas of occupation in Water Tribe territory to ease away the tension. The Earth Kingdom occupied the southern islands, and the Fire Nation agreed to the northwestern landmass.
Years passed, and the occupation continued. The Earth Kingdom kept a tight grip on the southern islands, but the Fire Nation remained relaxed in their area of occupation. Northern Water Tribe loyalists from the war era reemerged in secret at first, but their presence grew to privately and publicly infiltrate local governments. The Fire Nation did not react aggressively; if anything, their soldiers were steadily withdrawing.
Unsatisfied with the state of Fire Nation occupation, the Earth Kingdom imposed their own occupation of the northwest territory, hurling out Northern Water Tribe politicians and severely cracking down on loyalist gangs and organizations. Diplomatic tensions flared between the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom, but the Earth Kingdom refused to withdrawal. Both nations have been building up their respective militaries, prepared for conflict at a moment's notice.
Spoiler: Map
Spoiler: State of Affairs
These summaries are guidelines for you to create your characters with. The following are the general opinions of each nation on the current state of affairs. There are certainly exceptions, and by no means do your characters have to agree with them.
Spoiler: Fire NationThe Fire Nation felt no obligation to risk their lives in the name of reuniting the Northern Water Tribe with the world, which is why they were so lax in their occupation. They feel like the Earth Kingdom sold them short end of stick with the more difficult territory and is now coming in to clean up the mess, justifying their occupation. The Fire Nation claims that they were easing their way out of the territory so that the Water Tribe can be independent again instead of imperializing them, making the territory dependent on them (like they believe Earth Kingdom did with the southern islands) instead of weaning their way out of it.
Spoiler: Air NomadsThe Air Nomads refuse to interfere after they were attacked by the Northern Water Tribe. Many in other nations see them as cowards for their isolationism, but the Nomads know that it abides by their spiritual beliefs of detachment from physical ties. Instead, they seek the Avatar to guide her/him on her/his journey to master the elements and bring peace to the world. They believe that no nation can bring harmony to their troubled world, for only the Avatar has the authority to do so. Their solidarity in their goal, however, has started to fracture as Earth Kingdom militarism increases. Although the Air Nomads have yet to collectively act, there are whispers of either a break from isolationism or a divide amongst the Nomads.
Spoiler: Water TribesBoth Water Tribes still have at least an underlying hatred for each other, and they can tell when someone is from the Northern or Southern Tribe. The Northern Water Tribe is generally more nationalist and prideful than the Southern Water Tribe, which is more receptive to both criticism and Earth Kingdom culture; after all, the Southern Water Tribe didn't cause as much damage in the war as the Northern Water Tribe. The Southern Water Tribe tends to think that the North isn't willing to change, but the Northern Water Tribe thinks the South lost its ways and collapsed to Earth Nation influence. They believe Southern citizens estranged their own pre-war culture to save themselves from losing their identity, which the Northern Tribe views as cowardly. Yet the South is convinced that the Northern Tribe's perspective is dated and cannot possibly survive in the modern era.
Spoiler: Earth KingdomThe Earth Kingdom is almost paladin-esque in how it chooses to continue interfering with worldly affairs for "the good of all," but it's also laced with upper-class nobles grabbing for the swelling power. They're proud individuals searching for peace and union between the Water Tribes and the world, but They can have a privileged and naïve point of view since they're living on top of it all. They sometimes don't understand the daily struggle and pride of individuals living in the places they occupy, but they believe they're obligated to fix the world from their "elevated" perspective.
Spoiler: RulesRules:
1) Respect the rules, respect my decisions, and respect each other. Remember, this is PG-13, not M. Don't godmod, metagame, yada yada. You know the drill.
2) Please post in a timely manner with at least 2 paragraphs. If your character is holding us all up for a long time, I'll briefly take control so others can keep posting.
3) I'm looking for players to carry an active storyline with, so please only join if you are going to see it through.
4) No canon characters. I honestly don't know how you'd arrange that in this setting, but don't try it.
5) You don't have to wait for me to respond as a NPC if it's not pivotal. If you want to go through with a conversation with a NPC, you can do it. However, send me a PM or post in the OOC to let me know what you want to do if it's something major.
6) The OOC is here for RP-relevant chatter. Please don't derail it, and even more importantly, don't fight in it. Keep the fights to the IC. We're all on the same team as players.
7) If you are fighting against another player IC, you cannot deal serious damage to them or kill them without their expressed permission. No attack is guaranteed to hit unless I say so or the opposing player approves it.
If you read all of these rules, please put "Combustion Man didn't have to die" at the end of your CS.
Spoiler: Recommendations1) Try to spread out the elements as much as you can. I want every element to be represented, and I’ll have to cut off a certain element if too many people choose it. But hey, let’s try to avoid that!
2) Co-op posts with other people! I love to see you guys interact with each other, and it's more fun that way.
3) That being said, I want you to invest in your characters and their plot lines. Create NPCs and interact with the world as you see fit, and your development will be rewarded.
4) Get emotional, and get into it! No one likes a bland paladin who does the right thing every time without fail. Having your character show their weakness and screw up is usually the best thing you can do.
5) Run me by ideas that you have. The more feedback you send me, the better. Or, surprise me! I'm a player as well, and I'm just as interested to see what we do with this. Just make sure it abides by the rules
6) Leave plenty of room for your character to grow, physically or mentally. You'll have lots of time to improve into Master proficiency. If your character has nowhere to go then what's the point in writing as them?
7) Having fun is always the priority. Never forget that!
If you read all of these recommendations, please put "They could've talked it out" at the bottom of your sheet, below the other line you added for the rules.
Spoiler: Character Sheet
Name:
Age:
Sex: Male? Female? In between? Neither? You do you!
Appearance: Picture is preferable, description is acceptable, picture plus description is ideal. If you include a picture, please do not use a photograph.
Element: This is the element that you bend. If you do not bend an element, then put N/A. Please list your proficiency with your element: Novice (hey, I can control an element!), Apprentice (I can beat an average nonbender), Adept (I can beat an average bender), Expert (I can beat lots of average benders), Master (holy shit I can dominate so many benders). You should NOT be a Master, and you probably shouldn't be an Expert either. Once again, you'll have LOTS of time to improve, and you'll edit this in your CS as your skills improve.
Weapons: Anything you want, within reason. List your proficiency, same as above.
Skills: Hand-to-hand fighting? Sailing? Cooking? Making pottery? List your character's skills, along with proficiency, same as above.
Companions: Any animal companions? Put them here!
Personality: At least a paragraph. The more, the better.
Bio: What happened to you? Where were you born? Why are you who you are? What do you think about the current state of affairs, and how do they affect you? If you've got things you don't want to reveal yet then just PM it to me.
Player Characters:
Sachi Ashkii played by TheDoctor
Xiaotong played by Mr.Cynic
Shao Lang Xian played by Splat
Kakaru Shinoda played by Price
Oboro Kobayashi played by Zulera301
Chen Xiang played by Kayser
Maya played by Persona
Mu played by Kouki
Non Player Characters:
Spoiler: General Shoh (Mr.Cynic)NPC Sheet
General Shoh
Age: 42
Sex: Male
The man was well built, like a tree trunk, some might have joked his statuesque build reminded them of an Earth Bender. He’d probably laugh, but also take the compliment as an insult. Typically the 5’11” man is seen in his armor, and is often posted on a Fire Nation ship currently hidden deep within neutral waters. Like any typical fire nation Firebender he has a dusty, brunette hair, with amber colored eyes that glint in the light like fire that he controls.
Element: Fire - Expert
Weapons: Broadsword - Expert
Skills:
Survival Skills - Shoh is an adaptable man. He has learned how to survive, having the skills to camp, and having the skills to last long periods of lack of sleep or lack of food. He’s a sturdy man with a surprising amount of knowledge to him.
Fauna and Flora Knowledge - There’s nothing more embarrassing to confused the White Jade Dragon leaves for the White Jade. He’s surprisingly talented in knowing which is which.
Mount Riding - Shoh is excellent on a komodo rhino. He’s actually surprisingly terrifying riding his komodo rhino.
Poetry - Yes, the scary fire general is working on his haikus.
Instrument Proficiency - Yes, the scary fire general can use a Zither.
Companions: Komodo Rhino - Named ZoZo courtesy of his children
Personality:
It’s hard to explain General Shoh. While he is a tough military commander, he is also encouraging and known to give advice. He’s explained as a tough as nails father and General, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t care or isn’t worried about the lives of those under his command or even the lives of his children. He can be carefree and joyous in times that demand it, but he can also be ruthless, cunning, and a good tactioner. He is highly respected among his peers and isn’t to be trifled with. He does have a bit of a ruthless temper about him and it is said that he has committed atrocious “war crimes” to gain his current rank in the fire nation army. Though that may be Earth Kingdom propaganda.
Biography:
Military has been General Shoh life, his father a respe
cted military commander before him, and he followed suit. He married a noblewoman by the name of Hinoha in which they would have had three children. She died during childbirth of his third child.
His eldest son Azuhi, 20, has followed in his footsteps, being a common infantry foot soldier straight out of training.
Spoiler: Azuhi
His youngest son Kou 15, has also followed his footsteps, currently in fire nation boot camp. In hopes to join his brother and father eventually.
Spoiler: Kou
Spoiler: Hinoha Deceased
Theme Song:
Spoiler: Earth King Enryu
Name: Earth King Enryu
Age: ???
Sex: Male
Appearance: ???
Element: ???
Weapons: ???
Skills: ???
Companions: ???
Personality: ???
Bio: ???
Spoiler: Jenso the Desert Dweller (Splat)Name: Jenso
Age: 31
Sex: Manly Man
Spoiler: Appearance
Element: Earth, more specifically Sand - Expert
Weapons:
Skills:
First aid - Apprentice
Cooking - Apprentice
Sand-sailing - Adept
Companions: Deer-dog (dog with antlers) named Gosha
Personality: Jenso is mostly a calm, laid-back person, going through life one day at a time. He isn't too talkative, preferring to simply observe, though he will speak to friends (and on occasion, his dog). He can come across as antisocial to those first meeting him, but he is just wary of strangers.
Bio: Jenso has known nothing but the harsh, burning sands of the Si Wong Desert. He was raised there, part of a smallish, tight-knit community of nomads who traveled from oasis to oasis scavenging and hunting. He took naturally to sandbending, admiring the way that the wind carried it through the air (his friends would tease him, saying he should have been born an airbender). As Jenso grew older, he began to grow lonlier and somewhat displeased with his mundane life. He needed excitement, something new.
That's why he was ecstatic to meet Shao Lang. A fellow Earthbender, someone who wanted to travel and learn from his tribe? She would make the perfect pupil! He taught her all he knew of sandbending, and Shao Lang in turn taught him some traditional moves as well. The two became fast friends, and spent much time together. However, now that Shao Lang has expressed her thoughts of leaving the desert behind, Jenso is no longer sure of what he will do now...
Spoiler: Master Pakka (Price)Name: Master Pakka
Age: 64
Sex: Male
Appearance:Element: Water- MasterSpoiler: PakkaHis face is weathered from age, ice blue eyes tired from conflict. He wears the traditional blue tunic, fur coat, and the traditional wolf armor of the Northern Water Tribe in battle.
Weapons: Sword- Adept, Spear- Expert, Explosives- Adept
Skills: Hand to Hand Fighting- Formerly expert, age has moved him down to adept
Cooking- Novice
Fishing- Expert
Tracking- Expert
Tactics/Military Strategy- Expert
Tsungi Horn- Master
Pai Sho- Master, favors the white lotus
Companions: N/A
Personality: Master Pakka carries himself like a sage. He offers a grandfatherly approach to young Kakaru, providing the boy with wisdom from his own life experience as well as genuine care and love. Despite leading the Wolf Bloods, Master Pakka actually prefers peace, and in fact was a pacifist prior to the occupation. He views water bending as an art form, and thus its practice is one of pride and tradition rather than a tool for combat. That stance has been forced to change over the many years since his crusade began. The elder man has a great sense of humor that he has maintained despite his war, and frequently uses it for levity in tense situations. He holds the traditional proud view of the Northern Water Tribe, but he has that view tempered with understanding of changing times. More specifically, he is open to cooperation with the rest of the world, but only with the Northern Water Tribe as an established nation state, not a province of some other kingdom(s). He has spent years encouraging Kakaru’s ambitions, but has also chastised the boy’s naive narrow-mindedness. He has tried to encourage Kakaru to view the conflict as a complex issue of multiple conflicting perspectives rather than a simple black and white issue, especially considering that the boy has political aspirations.
In battle, Master Pakka is aggressive and tactical, not holding back until his opponent surrenders or is killed.
Bio: Master Pakka’s origins are clouded in mystery, as those who knew him either died in the war or else have been imprisoned. What is known is that the man has always been a prodigy in water bending, to the point of being considered the best teacher that money could buy. He was a reluctant soldier during the war but abandoned it when innocent Fire and Earth traders were raided and Air temples attacked. He settled down to live a quiet life, taking on students in order to teach them the true purpose of the art of the water element.
Even as the Earth and Fire became involved in the war, Master Pakka supported them believing there involvement to be more than fair considering the collateral damage that the Civil War had caused them. When the occupation first began, Pakka was again supportive believing it to be a temporary rebuilding project. As the occupation became more permanent and the Northern tribe’s culture was suppressed and dominated, Master Pakka was outraged seeing his trust in the nations as broken. He found others that shared his sentiments and united them under his command. At first, the Wolf-Bloods were merely vigilantes protecting citizens against abuse from their occupants...but as the acts of the Fire Nation and especially the Earth Kingdom became more egregious, the Wolf-Bloods grew in both number and boldness until they transformed into a fully fledged guerilla tactics resistance cell. They have been fighting ever since.
She is a fair toned adolescent, with platinum blonde wavy hair. Her complexion is flawless with no freckles or any markings found. Her dress consists of mostly the shade of a pastel baby blue, but the very upper body having a different shade which is green. The lower portion of the dress, her skirt, consists of a purplish shade that is mixed in with some tints of navy blue. Her dress has gold embroidery only on the stomach portion; even though, she lives in a very briskly cold nation that does not mean her apparel has to be a drag. She is not that tall, but she is not a short troll either. She is perhaps a decent height which is 5'3.
Originally Posted by Mr.Cynic
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